Youth tennis center at VCU wins national award

Last month it won a National Chapter of the Year award, presented by the National Junior Tennis & Learning, an organization founded by Richmond native Arthur Ashe.

Established four years ago on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, the Mary and Frances Youth Tennis Center (MFYC) reaches out to underserved elementary and middle school youth across the community by introducing them to tennis, teaching them life skills and exposing them to the merits of higher education. In its after-school programs, MFYC serves 50 youth each day, five days per week.

In addition, full-day summer camps are offered for seven weeks and serve up to 40 youth per week. Students in the program participate on and off the court during their time at Lobs & Lessons. Tennis instruction is given in one-on-one and clinic settings, while practice skills are taught using team format play. MFYC strives to reinforce healthy lifestyles through lesson plans that focus on nutrition, self-image and healthy cooking. The participants in MFYC are encouraged to explore their future possibilities formally and informally through guest speakers, with topics ranging from college to careers, and with campus tours with interactive activities from multiple disciplines. Recently, MFYC started a year-long open enrollment program that welcomes any elementary or middle school child who wishes to participate one day a week for 28 weeks.

Program director Tina Carter and her volunteers also host two of the biggest tennis events of the year in Richmond, the Young Aces Open and the Family Open which include hundreds of Richmond residents playing in their facility.

Derrick Johnson was introduced as the new Hermitage head football coach on Thursday. He replaces Patrick Kane, who stepped down after 17 seasons in December. Johnson spent the last three years as the head coach at Matoaca, and takes over a program that's experienced 17 straight winning seasons and 12 playoff appearances during that span.

Derrick Johnson was introduced as the new Hermitage head football coach on Thursday. He replaces Patrick Kane, who stepped down after 17 seasons in December. Johnson spent the last three years as the head coach at Matoaca, and takes over a program that's experienced 17 straight winning seasons and 12 playoff appearances during that span.

Hakeem Abdul Saboor has gone from a three-sport star at Powhatan High School to an Olympic bobsledder. Now those who taught and coached him during his high school years get set to watch him go for gold on the world stage.

Hakeem Abdul Saboor has gone from a three-sport star at Powhatan High School to an Olympic bobsledder. Now those who taught and coached him during his high school years get set to watch him go for gold on the world stage.